A TOWN SQUARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 December 1938, Page 6

A TOWN SQUARE

AS CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL. (To the Editor.) Sir. —Your leader on the Centennial Memorial seems to call for further suggestions. The founders of the Wairarapa and its principal town, Masterton, had a vision of the future, which has been dimming of late. Old residents have told me of the beauty to be seen from the steps of the old Post Office—a tree-shaded square, a stream of clear; water, bridged, with a path leading to a homely but beautiful wooden church. Now what is to be seen from the same place but a row of shabby stucco shops built over the boxed-in stream? The old church is gene, the beautiful trees arc cut down, the square which was entrusted to the church and should have been for all time an example of the “Beauty of Holiness” is being rapidly commercialised. What lias blinded us,' Sir. that we have not seen a beautiful asset to t’m? town being filched from the people? Is it too late? No, we can redeem it. Let the town buy the whole churchyard, shops included, and plan a gracious garden square with band stand and fountain. Possibly an arcade, with small ‘shops running at right angles to Queen Street from Mr Nicol's shop eastward to Dixon Street. The first cost could be met by a loan repayable by rents and rates. The plan would be a worthy memorial of the last hundred years, would give dignity to Queen Street, and health and pleasure to the people. Thanking you, I am, etc., ANNE FLETCHER. Masterton, December 3?